Batman v Superman: What We Know So Far About Dawn Of Justice

For a long time it was said that Warner Bros. and DC Comics were prepping a Justice League movie for release in 2015. Seemingly a reaction to the incredible success of Marvelís The Avengers, it looked like we were finally going to see heroes like Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and The Flash unite on the big screen in live-action for the first time ever.

Thatís no longer the case. After months of reports, rumors and speculation, the dream of a 2015 Justice League movie fell apart. But in its place, rising from the ashes like a phoenix, is an entirely different project for comic book fans to be excited for: a Superman/Batman movie in 2016.

The film has been officially titledBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and, collecting all of the news that has come out since the new movie Ė and sequel to Man of Steel - was announced, we've broken down absolutely everything we know about the project thus far. When is the movie coming out in theaters? Who is directing? Who will star? Whatís the story going to be about? Find all of the answers to those questions and more below!

Zack Snyder & David Goyer

Given that Man of Steel made more than $660 million worldwide, there was very little chance that director Zack Snyder and screenwriter David Goyer wouldnít return for the sequel, and that assumption was proven true when Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was announced at Comic-Con 2013 with Snyder directing and working with Goyer to develop the story. While Goyer wrote the original drafts of the screenplay, eventually Academy Award winning Argo screenwriter Chris Terrio picked up the pen. Production has begun, with the finished product scheduled hit theaters on March 26, 2016. (Much earlier than we originally thought.) What's more, Snyder is also now officially attached to direct the upcoming Justice League movie, which Batman v Superman will directly lead into.

The Story

When Warner Bros. announced that they would be moving forward with a Superman/Batman movie, they didnít include a plot synopsis telling us what the movie is about Ė but the title does provide us with an interesting hint. While we expect that they will end up fighting for the same side by the end of the story, the title of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice suggests that the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel will be starting the film as enemies. In the footage shown at San Diego Comic-Con 2014, it was suggested that the Man of Steel has as big a beef with the Caped Crusader as the latter does with the former Ė but the reasoning is still unclear. How the story will deal with all of the major supporting characters also remains a mystery.

Superman

Following in the footsteps of Marvel Studios and starting to build a larger cinematic universe, Warner Bros. is making Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice both to introduce a new take on the Caped Crusader and to build on what has already been established with the Man of Tomorrow. As was expected, Henry Cavill will be returning to play Clark Kent/Superman and will continue to learn how to live up to his destiny while also trying to find his place on Earth with humanity. Something tells us that the hero will probably also have to deal with the fact that Man of Steel not only had him killing his enemy, General Zod, but also leveling half of Metropolis in the battle beforehand. There have been reports suggesting that the film will feature scenes where people actually protest against the existence of Superman on Earth Ė though, at the same time we have also heard that the film will feature the unveiling of a statue dedicated to the superhero following his world-saving efforts. Basically, expect the world to be split on the opinion of whether or not Superman is a positive or negative presence on our planet.

Batman

It only took about a month after Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was announced for Zack Snyder and Warner Bros. to find the actor they wanted to play the Dark Knight, and the name they officially landed on was Ben Affleck. As had been assumed beforehand, the casting confirmed that the new version of the Caped Crusader would be a veteran hero, and he has since been described as "tired and weary and seasoned." The look of the new Batsuit looks like it was ripped right off the pages of Frank Millerís The Dark Knight Returns, so don't be too surprised if the attitude matches the aesthetic.

Directors Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher brought us Batmobiles full of flash and style, and Christopher Nolan made one that was essentially a tank, but for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, director Zack Snyder has found a design that basically splits the difference between those two styles. Pictured above is the brand new model, which was released after months of teasing. Some have objected to the presence of a giant gun turret on the front given Batmanís rules against killing, but who says that it actually fires lethal ammo? Maybe itís loaded with rubber bullets. Regardless, we canít wait to see this thing tearing through the streets of Gotham and, perhaps, Metropolis. And seeing it parked in front of this potential stand in for Wayne Manor!

Wonder Woman

It turns out that Batman and Superman wonít be the only legendary DC Comics superheroes that wind up being in the Man of Steel sequel. Buzz about Wonder Womanís potential involvement in the 2015 blockbuster began when Thor: The Dark World star Jaimie Alexander revealed that she has had a meeting with DC Comics about possible projects, but now the rumor has been confirmed as true. Gal Gadot, who screen-tested for the part "in November has been cast as Princess Diana of Themyscira. The actress reportedly beat out both Olga Kurylenko, Elodie Yung for the part. Itís currently unclear how she will fit into the film. Word is that Gadot is contracted to appear in three movies for Warner Bros. The first is Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, the second is a Justice League movie, and the third is a Wonder Woman solo film. What about her origins, though? In a recent interview, producer Charles Roven confirms that Wonder Woman is a demi-god, that she's a "goddess," and her father is Zeus. So that clears up some of the rumors of her origins in Snyder's film.

Robin

Fans haven't necessarily been clamoring to see The Boy Wonder on screen, but ever since director Christopher Nolan sidestepped Batman's sidekick in his Bat-trilogy, we've been curious as to whether Robin ever would show up on screen again. Put down the phone, Chris O'Donnell. The latest rumors say that Sucker Punch alum Jena Malone, who visited Snyder's Michigan set, now sports the red hairdo of one Carrie Kelley, the version of Robin from Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns. Knowing that this is the book from which Snyder heavily borrows, is it possible that we'll see some take on Robin in Batman v Superman?

The Flash

If DC and Warner Bros. are actually planning to make a Justice League film sooner rather than later, then they will likely have to start establishing a superhero-filled world very quickly. This is where Flash could come in. While the crimson comic book character is about to make a big splash with his own new television show on The CW, there has also been some intense fan speculation that he will be making his live-action feature debut in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. This has only been rumored and never confirmed, but some have suggested that the role might actually already belong to Ben Affleckís Argo co-star Scoot McNairy. The actor was spotted on the set of the new Zack Snyder movie sporting a set of chroma key socks, and some have surmised that they might be useful during post-production while making the legs look like they are moving at super speed. McNairy has neither confirmed nor denied the Flash rumors when asked about his presence in Batman vs. Superman, but he has said that he hopes to be a part of the DC Universe "for a while."

Aquaman

Much like Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and Flash, Aquaman was a founding member of the Justice League when the team was first introduced in 1960, and DC and Warner Bros. seem to be continuing that legacy by having him be a part of the first live-action feature version of the group. We first started hearing whispers about a big screen version of Aquaman during summer 2014 when it was reported that Game of Thrones star Jason Momoa had landed the role and would be making a cameo appearance in Batman v Superman. The actor has spent months deflecting questions about it, but at this point it does seem like a thing thatís definitely happening. But even if Aquaman doesnít actually end up making an appearance in Snyderís film, that doesnít mean that he doesnít still have a Hollywood-filled feature. There is actual evidence that Warner Bros. is thinking about a solo movie for the superhero Ė though there is no time table currently available regarding that development.

Cyborg

Set to be played by stage actor Ray Fisher, Victor Stone a.k.a. Cyborg is yet another DC Comics hero who will be making his live-action debut in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. While we canít be certain about his exact role in the movie or even within the larger cinematic universe being built, one can predict that the character will be adapted from the recent New 52 line of comics that saw the character transform from being a star high school football player into a half-machine superhero following an explosion at his fatherís lab. Cyborgís role is expected to be rather small in the Man of Steel sequel, but we expect that his presence is just another sign that DC and Warner Bros. are working towards a Justice League movie.

Lois Lane

You didnít really think that the sequel to Man of Steel would only be bringing back Superman, did you? In the studio press release that was sent around announcing the Superman/Batman movie it was confirmed that the 2016 title will also feature the return of Amy Adams as Lois Lane, the quick reporter who both met and fell in love with Clark Kent/Superman in the last movie. Presumably the new film will further explore the relationship between Clark and Lois, but right now itís unclear how she will fit into the larger plot.

Lex Luthor

For an epic pairing like Superman and Batman you need an epic villain, and that means bringing in a true-blue nemesis. Enter Lex Luthor. Warner Bros. has confirmed that the bald-headed master criminal will be in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and whatís more they have also announced that Jesse Eisenberg will be taking on the role. This is the first time on the big screen that we have seen Superman and Lex portrayed as the same age, so this should definitely make for an interesting match-up. We donít quite know what to expect in terms of how this adaptation will be similar or different from the many different incarnations of the character we've seen over the years (Eisenberg apparentlyisnít reading the comics to prepare for his role), but some set photos have suggested that he will be a rich, sociopathic maniac who plays with peopleís minds just for fun.

Alfred Pennyworth

With the end of Christopher Nolanís Dark Knight movies comes the need to recast all of the important side characters in the Bat-centric sphere of the DC Universe, and while weíre still waiting to hear about who will play the new Commissioner Gordon, at the very least we now have our new Alfred Pennyworth. Announced the same day as Jesse Eisenberg, Jeremy Irons has boarded Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice to play the most famous butler in comic book history and will be palling around with Ben Affleck in the Batcave.

Batman & Supermanís Other Known Associates

We can expect any number of supporting characters from both the worlds of Superman and Batman to collide in Zack Snyderís Man of Steel sequel, but for right now only two others have been confirmed Ė plus one mystery guest. When the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was announced at San Diego Comic-Con it was also revealed that both Laurence Fishburne and Diane Lane would be coming back as Perry White and Martha Kent, respectively. Also officially attached to the movie is Holly Hunter, though she is apparently playing a character created directly for the big screen instead of a recognizable name from the comics. Hopefully it wonít be long until we hear about even more casting.